Inside Hotlanta and the SIAC

By Hal Lamar
Photos compiled and taken by Patsy Collier-Lamar

KSU does it again! D2 defeats D1!

As I predicted last weekend, the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University polished off their second D1(or if you prefer, FCS opponent)  this year. This time the victim was  Jackson State University, the place; Indianapolis, Indiana and the occasion - the 36th Circle City Classic .The final score- 33-25.  (I wonder how many people showed up for the game? The organizers seem to shy away from attendance figures. Why?)

Nontheless, the Breds are now 2-1 but still in last place in the western division of the SIAC. Interestingly. their two wins  have come from D-1 opponents. The first, KSU's season opener, was against Robert Morris University. Their lone defeat was 13-7 in their home opener to Tuskegee  back on September 14. Jackson State, struggling with a 1-3 record thus far this season, did manage to showcase its junior quarterback. Derrick Ponder. He managed 279 passing yards, and tossed three touchdowns. He was sacked three times however. Jackson State actually led 10-0 through the first and majority of the second quarter . That was when the 'Breds dented the scoreboard and continued to strike five successive times through the genesis of the fourth period and took the lead at the half . They never reliinquished the same..Ponder.....

THE REST OF THE SIAC: Clark-AU, suffering enormous growing pains under their new head coach Tim Bowens, continued their labor pains last weekend at the hands (and rams) of Albany State. The Golden Rams came to town  intent on winning their first conference and divisional game and did 54-19 before 5423 fans at CAU stadium.Stafford

Despite the loss, Panther quarterback Charles Stafford continued to show out with 212 passing yards and tossing two touchdowns. It's become a habit with him.  In game one, the 6-3, 221 pounder from Miami Florida, passed for 158 yards and two scores. In game two, he tossed 258 yards and a score and in game three he threw the oval for 306 yards and 3 touchdown tosses. CAU enjoyed a temporary 6-0 lead early in the first period but that was wiped away at  12:37 in the second . After that, the Rams outscored the Panthers 54-13.

Morehouse let a big conference and divisional game get away from them, falling to visiting Savannah State 17-10.  It was the home opener for "Da House" after three"roadies"  which only produced one winner. Morehouse had at least two other scoring ops against SSU but couldn't convert. The win gives the Tigers by the sea a 15-13 edge in the series between the two schools. SSU continues to surprise damn near every school in the SiAC and around the HBCU athletic community since finally deciding to get the devil out the MEAC where they were being humiliated (especially in football) and return to the SIAC.  Meanwhile, you ask what's wrong with the Marooners? This time last year, they were 4-0. I sense  the elevens are not playing 60 minutes of football which is the response I bet I'd get if I put that question to Richard Freeman, the native Atlantian in his 13th season as head coach.

Benedict's woes are likely keeping big Mike White awake at night. Last weekend, he dropped his 4th  in a row to Fort Valley 50-16. The Wildcats'  QB Slade Jarmin performed like a wild man, tossing 319 passing yards and six touchdown strikes.

Central State of Ohio's victory a fortnight ago against CAU on the road was short-lived. The travelled to Mobile, Alabama last weekend and were clobbered 63-20 by Alabama A&M . Bulldog quarterback Aqeel Glass led the onslaught with 339 passing yards and four TDs.....

and Tuskegee lost again, this time to West Alabama 36-16. For the Goldens , their 1-3 record is the worst kickoff to a season since  2011..

PREDICTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

Central State over Edward Waters

Kentucky State over Morehouse

UAPB over Lane-(UAPB homecoming)

Miles over CAU (Miles homecomng)

Albany State over Tuskegee

Savannah State over Charleston-Southern

Fort Valley over Florida Tech

Got an item? Contact Hal -> hallamar at comcast.net